THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major decision that would help thousands of people joining the state service under the dying-in-harness scheme, the State Government has decided to relax the rules to give appointments to eligible candidates based on their qualifications, rather than posting them to last grade or LDC posts.
Explaining the Cabinet decision in this regard on Wednesday, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said a decision has been taken to ensure that people with higher qualifications are given posts which match their qualifications. “As of now, dependants of government servants who join the service under the dying-in harness scheme are given either posts of last grade, LDC or Assistant Grade irrespective of qualifications.
“The service rules have been waived at times, only for some exceptional cases, taking into consideration outstanding service records of the deceased or some other similar situation. Now a decision has been taken to give eligible persons appointments matching their qualification,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the Chief Secretary has been assigned to make necessary amendments in service rules so as to bring in these changes.
The Chief Minister pointed out there is demand from various corners to bring in necessary changes in the manner of appointments to posts under the dying-in-harness scheme.
Under the proposed changes, dependents of the deceased can join the junior most post that suits their qualification, the Chief Minister said.
“Till now, somebody who is qualified to be a doctor or engineer can also join only as last grade or LDC under this scheme. That will change once the rules are changed,” he added.